Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 10th, 2012 7:15AM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet and Deep Persistent Slabs.

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Low does not mean no! Avalanches can still happen at LOW so use cautions as you travel. Stability will det'r in the heat of the day so keep an eye on the temps. Avoid thin, steep rocky terrain, especially on N aspects. Weekly update on Facebook.

Summary

Confidence

Good - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Partly cloudy conditions persist for Saturday with generally light winds. Temperatures will continue to be mild but unfortunately, no new snow is in the forecast for the next 48hrs.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanche activity was observed over the past 24hrs.

Snowpack Summary

Melt freeze crust on steep solar aspects up to 2900m. This crust is up to 3cm thick in some areas. Widespread SH growth in all areas except steep solar. On Friday, SH up to 10mm big was found standing up tall and not at all affected by winds at 2500m on a col on the W side of Heros knob. This layer will be a large concern when it gets buried by snowfalls later this week.

Problems

Loose Wet

Stability will decrease throughout the day as temperatures warm up. These decreases in stability will be most apparent on steep solar aspects so be sure to avoid these areas later in the day.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Basal facets and depth hoar still persist at the base of the snowpack. Skier triggering of this layer is still possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas. Choose routes that avoid these kids of features especially in steeper terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Feb 11th, 2012 3:00AM